Numbers 2:1
INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 2
This chapter contains the order of the encampment and march of the tribes of Israel in their proper places about the tabernacle; the general direction for the same is in Nu 1:1; the particulars follow; on the cast of the tabernacle the camp of Judah was to pitch, and under his standard the tribes of Issachar and Zebulun, Nu 1:3; on the south side of it the camp of Reuben, and under his standard the tribes of Simeon and Gad, Nu 1:10; then the tabernacle, with the camp of the Levites round it, were next, to stand or set forward, Nu 1:17; and on the west side the camp of Ephraim, and under his standard the tribes of Manasseh and Benjamin, Nu 1:18; and on the north side the camp of Dan, and under his standard the tribes of Asher and Naphtali, Nu 1:25; the sum total of the numbers of which camps are given, exclusive of the camp of Levi, Nu 1:32; and the chapter is concluded with observing, that all was done according to the commandment of God, Nu 1:34.
Ver. 1. And the Lord spake unto Moses, and unto Aaron,.... Very probably after the number of the children of Israel was taken, of which in the preceding chapter, and when the congregation of Israel with the tabernacle were about to set forward on their journey; and therefore directions are here given for their orderly and regular proceeding in it, in what form and manner they should both encamp and march;
saying: as follows.